Roxobel North CarolinaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Roxobel, North Carolina.
1. Sylvan Heights Bird Park
EXOTIC BIRD SANCTUARY
Sylvan Heights Bird Park is a premier avian conservation center in Roxobel offering visitors an immersive experience with exotic birds from around the world. The park features walkthrough aviaries where guests can interact with rare and endangered bird species in naturalistic habitats. With educational programs and feeding opportunities, it provides both entertainment and conservation awareness for visitors of all ages.
2. Historic Hope Plantation
19TH CENTURY HISTORIC ESTATE
Historic Hope Plantation preserves the elegant home of Governor David Stone, built between 1793 and 1803. The meticulously restored Federal-style plantation house and its surrounding grounds offer visitors a glimpse into the agricultural and social history of North Carolina's Roanoke-Chowan region. Tours of the main house and outbuildings showcase period furnishings and artifacts that illuminate the lives of both the wealthy landowners and the enslaved people who lived and worked there.
3. Cashie Wetlands Walkway
NATURAL WATERWAY BOARDWALK
The Cashie Wetlands Walkway offers visitors a serene wooden boardwalk path through pristine wetland ecosystems near Roxobel. This scenic trail allows nature enthusiasts to observe native wildlife, including birds, turtles, and occasionally river otters, in their natural habitat. The walkway provides educational signage about the ecological importance of wetlands and the Cashie River system.
4. Brady C. Jefcoat Museum of Americana
UNIQUE AMERICANA COLLECTION
The Brady C. Jefcoat Museum of Americana houses one of the most extensive collections of antique Americana in the southeastern United States. Housed in a historic former school building, the museum displays thousands of artifacts including phonographs, music boxes, clocks, tools, and household items spanning American history. Visitors can marvel at the lifelong collection of Brady Jefcoat, whose passion for preserving everyday American objects created this remarkable time capsule of domestic life.
5. Fort Branch Confederate Earthen Fort
CIVIL WAR HISTORICAL SITE
Fort Branch is a remarkably well-preserved Confederate earthwork fort overlooking the Roanoke River near Hamilton. Built in 1862 to protect the vital Wilmington-Weldon Railroad bridge, the fort features original artillery pieces and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Annual living history events and reenactments bring the Civil War era to life for visitors interested in this crucial period of American history.
6. The Hotel
HISTORIC LOCAL LODGING
The Hotel in Roxobel stands as a charming historic lodging option that has welcomed travelers for generations. This beautifully maintained establishment combines period architectural details with modern amenities to create a comfortable stay experience. Guests appreciate the personalized service and the hotel's convenient location for exploring the attractions of northwestern Bertie County.
7. Roanoke River Paddle Trail
SCENIC RIVER ADVENTURE
The Roanoke River Paddle Trail offers kayakers and canoeists an extensive network of water routes through one of North Carolina's most pristine river ecosystems. Paddlers can explore over 200 miles of waterways, including the main river channel and numerous creeks and swamps teeming with wildlife. Camping platforms along the route allow for multi-day adventures through this unique bottomland hardwood forest ecosystem.
8. Chowan County Courthouse
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Chowan County Courthouse stands as one of America's most beautiful and well-preserved colonial courthouses, dating back to 1767. This Georgian-style brick building, topped with a distinctive cupola, has served as a center of government and community life for over 250 years. Visitors can tour the historic courtroom with its original furnishings and learn about the courthouse's role in North Carolina's colonial and revolutionary history.
9. Bertie County Peanut Market
LOCAL AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE
The Bertie County Peanut Market celebrates the region's agricultural heritage and its famous Virginia-style peanuts. Visitors can watch demonstrations of traditional peanut processing methods and sample a variety of peanut products from local farms. The market also features local crafts, seasonal produce, and educational exhibits about the economic importance of peanut farming in eastern North Carolina.
10. Livermon Park & Mini Zoo
FAMILY-FRIENDLY ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
Livermon Park & Mini Zoo offers families a delightful opportunity to view and interact with a variety of domestic and exotic animals in a small-town setting. This charming community park features enclosures housing llamas, goats, peacocks, and other animals that delight visitors of all ages. The adjacent playground, picnic facilities, and walking trails make it a perfect destination for a family outing near Roxobel.
11. Scotch Hall Preserve Golf Course
PREMIER WATERFRONT GOLFING
Scotch Hall Preserve Golf Course is an Arnold Palmer Signature course offering golfers a stunning layout along the Albemarle Sound. The 18-hole championship course features dramatic water views, strategic bunkering, and immaculate conditioning that challenges players of all skill levels. After a round, visitors can enjoy the clubhouse amenities and dining options while taking in panoramic views of the surrounding waterways.
12. Bunn's Barbecue
AUTHENTIC NC BARBECUE
Bunn's Barbecue has been serving authentic Eastern North Carolina-style whole hog barbecue to locals and visitors since 1938. This unpretentious eatery offers tender, vinegar-based pork chopped to perfection alongside traditional sides like coleslaw, hushpuppies, and Brunswick stew. The restaurant's longevity and unchanged recipes make it a quintessential stop for anyone seeking to experience the region's distinctive culinary heritage.
13. Somerset Place State Historic Site
PLANTATION HISTORY PRESERVED
Somerset Place State Historic Site preserves one of North Carolina's largest antebellum plantations, offering a comprehensive view of the lives of both the wealthy landowners and the hundreds of enslaved people who lived there. The restored main house, reconstructed outbuildings, and archaeological sites tell the complex story of this significant agricultural enterprise that operated from 1785 to 1865. Guided tours provide thoughtful interpretation of plantation life and address the difficult history of slavery in the American South.
14. Merchant's Millpond State Park
ANCIENT CYPRESS SWAMP WILDERNESS
Merchant's Millpond State Park protects a rare coastal plain ecosystem where a 760-acre millpond is filled with bald cypress and tupelo gum trees draped in Spanish moss. Visitors can canoe or kayak through this primeval-looking landscape, observing diverse wildlife including turtles, water birds, and occasionally alligators. Hiking trails, camping facilities, and fishing opportunities round out the recreational options at this unique natural area not far from Roxobel.
15. Roanoke/Cashie River Center
RIVER ECOLOGY EDUCATION
The Roanoke/Cashie River Center serves as an educational facility dedicated to the ecology and cultural history of the river systems that define northeastern North Carolina. Interactive exhibits explain the importance of the rivers to the region's transportation, commerce, and natural environment throughout history. The center also offers canoe and kayak rentals, guided paddle trips, and environmental education programs for visitors wanting to experience the rivers firsthand.